Warren Barguil had another difficult day in the Tour de France and finished 34th, Thibaut Pinot won the stage and Christopher Froome remained the overall leader.

Stage 20 was the shortest stage of this year’s Tour de France with 110.5km and two hors category climbs with the Col de la Croix de Fer and the mountaintop finish on the Alpe d’Huez.

From out the start four riders attacked and got their opportunity to build an advantage. On the Col de la Croix de Fer Warren Barguil went in the counter attack at halfway of the climb, but AG2R La Mondiale increased the pace at the bunch and took them back.

Towards the summit, Warren Barguil was dropped and the GC fight started. In the descent most of the original yellow jersey group came back together and a small group went in the counterattack, including Thibaut Pinot (FDJ).

30 riders started the final ascent of the Alpe d’Huez in the yellow jersey group and fought for their position in the GC. Mwanwhile it was Pinot who could stay in front of runner-up Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) to win on the top of the Alpe d’Huez. Warren Barguil finished 34th and is 14th in the GC. Christopher Froome (Team Sky) remained the overall leader ahead of the closing stage in Paris.

Warren Barguil said: “It was another hard day for me. From the start I really suffered and my legs weren’t good at all. Later in the stage I started to feel better and better. Towards the finale I felt really good again but we couldn’t close the gap to the GC group before the Alpe d’Huez.

“I rode a very strong final climb. It’s too bad I finish the Tour with two not so strong days but I am happy to ride on the Champs-Élysées tomorrow and I hope we can close this Tour successfully with a perfect sprint preparation for John [Degenkolb].”

Coach Rudi Kemna added: “Today was a GC day from the start and it was extremely difficult. Warren [Barguil] had a tough start but recovered along the stage to finish strongly. On the final climb it was really crazy with the crowds and especially in the Dutch corner.

“Until yesterday we competed almost every day for good stage results and the GC with Warren. Our highlight was the victory of Simon [Geschke] and we are really satisfied particularly because we could race in the way we wanted.

“Tomorrow we have our final chance with John [Degenkolb], we will give our all once again and see what it brings.”